Sulamith Wülfing was a German artist and illustrator born in the Elberfeld, in the Rhine Province on January 11, 1901. Her ethereal, enigmatic works depict fairy tales or mystical subjects such as “The Big Friend” pictured here. The illustration reflects this interest in the balance between fragility and power, clarity and illusion.

She first began drawing these creatures at the age of four. The visions continued throughout her life and became the major inspirations for her paintings. In 1921, she graduated from the Art College, in Wuppertal and just over 10 years later married Otto Schulze, a professor from the College. Together, they created the publishing house – Sulamith Wülfing Verlag. Many of her paintings and belongings were destroyed during the bombings of WWII. Wülfing died in 1989 at the age of 88.

Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks credited Wülfing’s art with providing the inspiration for many of her songs, as well as the album cover of The Wild Heart; and a concert video screen displayed Wülfing’s art images during her Gold Dust tour (2005).

In 1973 Pete Sinfield, former lyricist of progressive rock band King Crimson, used the painting “Big Friend” on the front cover of his first solo album “Still”. For more of their art see my King Crimson post.